The Secret Strategy Meeting

The three sisters—Nicole, Emma, and Lucy—met at a quiet bakery, far from their mother’s house. Their mission was high-stakes: choosing a gift for their mother, the world’s pickiest woman. She hated cash but loathed anything that felt mass-produced. Two years ago, they had bought her a designer watch she called "too heavy." Last year, they tried a high-end moisturizer she claimed made her face "too shiny."

"Okay, let's focus," Nicole said, opening her notebook. "We need to pick a place for the party first. I checked out that new garden cafe. I liked it there because it was private."

"That place was great, but the bakery we are in now is also a candidate," Emma added. "Their bread is world-class, and Mom loves organic flour."

"Forget the food for a second," Lucy interrupted. "We need the gift. No ready-made items this year. It has to be personal."

"I'm leaning towards a handmade hobby kit," Nicole suggested. "What about a sewing machine? She used to mention it years ago."

"I have to push back on sewing," Emma argued. "It's too much work. I say we go with a crochet set. It's more relaxing, and she can make small items for herself. I’m fairly confident she’ll find it therapeutic."

"Does crocheting sound like a gift she won't return?" Lucy asked skeptically. "I’m not so sure about that. It needs to be luxury."

"Wait, hear me out," Emma continued. "We get her the most expensive, imported yarn set with gold-plated hooks. It's something you would never buy for yourself. What do you say?"

"I'm really sold on the luxury yarn idea," Nicole agreed. "It sounds like a plan. Let's settle on the crochet kit."

On the day of the birthday, the sisters presented the gift. Their mother touched the soft wool and the gold hooks. She didn't scowl. "Well," she remarked, "at least it's not something from a department store shelf. This is... acceptable."